Physiotherapist-led education and exercise for patients with MRI-verified hip abductor tendon pathology: a prospective cohort study
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate changes in lateral hip pain following a 3-month, physiotherapist-led, education and exercise programme in patients with clinically and MRI-verified hip abductor tendon pathology.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Setting: Secondary care, Danish public teaching hospital.
Participants: From May 2024 to July 2025, 60 patients (100% women) with lateral hip pain duration of >6 months, aged 18-75 years (mean age 58.2), MRI-verified hip abductor tendon pathology were included; 55 patients completed the intervention.
Interventions: Patient education on load management and modification of daily activity was provided through seven physiotherapist-led sessions over 3 months. Additionally, patients followed an individually progressed daily home-based exercise programme.
Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was change in the subscale pain of the revised Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS). Secondary outcomes included hip-related patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality of life, isometric hip muscle strength and a 30-second Chair Stand Test (30s-CST).
Results: Adherence to the exercise protocol was 85%. The mean (95% CI) score in the revised HAGOS pain improved from 46.4 (41.5 to 51.2) to 60.1 (54.4 to 65.7) at 3 months follow-up. Clinically relevant improvements were observed in secondary hip-related patient-reported outcomes, alongside improvements in generic patient-reported outcomes. Minor strength improvements…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 55 participants or records.
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